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The Southernization of Tim Pawlenty

Posted at 12:34 PM on March 14, 2011 by Bob Collins (36 Comments)
Filed under: Politics

A bit of a kerfuffle is brewing between the New York Times and New York Magazine over whether former Gov. Tim Pawlenty is developing a southern accent as he campaigns for president.

In a profile today, the Times noticed what, frankly, a few Minnesotans noticed: that Pawlenty was dropping the "g" on his gerunds: The knock on Mr. Pawlenty, according to conversations with voters, is that his speeches sound sincere but do not always sizzle. At a faith forum last week in Iowa, he displayed vigor. But the next day at the Statehouse, the talk among several Republicans was that it seemed he had suddenly developed a Southern accent as he tried connecting to voters by speaking louder and with more energy.

The political blog of Radio Iowa heard it too and noted, "Pawlenty seems to be adopting a Southern accent as he talks about his record as governor." As he spoke of the country's challenges, he dropped the letter G, saying: "It ain't gonna be easy. This is about plowin' ahead and gettin' the job done."
New York Magazine thinks the Times is making it up: Frankly, we haven't heard Pawlenty speak enough to know if the folksy accent he exhibited in the speech was uncommon for him. But we're at least pretty sure that we hear Pawlenty say getting, not gettin', in the line plucked out by the Times. Watch the clip and determine for yourself whether the Times is nitpickin'.
A lot of politicians have gone this route when trying to sound like an "average person."

But a listen to the governor's recent speech in Iowa seemed to suggest something more. Here is a comparison between some words he used at his State of the State speech in February 2010 and words he used during his speech in Iowa. You may note the difference in which syllable is accented. See if you can hear any difference. (Sorry, iPad users, this is built in Flash and you won't see it. But at least you're still the coolest kids in the room!)

Comments (36)

I noticed it at the Iowa event. I mentioned it to my wife. He must have followed a southerner on the agenda. It's a very easy dialect to pick up. Everytime I talk to my Georgia counsins I start hank'rn for grits.

Posted by Jim G | March 14, 2011 12:58 PM

What do you expect? He grew up in South St. Paul, after all....

Posted by Bob Moffitt | March 14, 2011 12:58 PM

Do they say 'Yah, sure, you betcha y'all" in South St. Paul?

Posted by John O. | March 14, 2011 2:00 PM

Maybe he's possessed. Do you think Pawlenty might be channeling Abraham Lincoln? or Jefferson Davis? or Willie Nelson?

Posted by yee-haw | March 14, 2011 3:43 PM

>>Do they say 'Yah, sure, you betcha y'all" in South St. Paul?

All y'all know that's fer sure, that's fer dang sure.

Posted by Darren B. | March 14, 2011 3:43 PM

I've noticed this for a few weeks now. In a few different speeches. I don't think it's because he was following southerners.

Posted by Jamie | March 14, 2011 3:44 PM

ohhh, I get it !
He ate something that was southern!
Nottin' like a little 'down home' cookin'

Posted by yeehaw | March 14, 2011 4:04 PM

As someone from South Saint Paul (third generation baby) who has lived in Eastern Washington for the past seven years my accent is more intact than his. How does that happen? Mine is watered down, but I wasn't home, what's his excuse?

And yes, my family does say "ja sure" and "you betcha" but not always together.

Posted by Phil | March 14, 2011 5:31 PM

He's trying to beat Bachman to the punch on developing a Palin accent...

Posted by Suzanne | March 14, 2011 9:28 PM

As the song says, " the answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind" or in this case, someone who is seriously in denial (he balanced budgets, he stopped the bleed to the unions, he, he... , he...) iand now holding his finger in the wind and discovering he needs to soud like a southern wacco to be accepted as "one of 'em" sine that stuff about Sams' Club Republican ain't holding water.

Posted by Paul | March 15, 2011 8:54 AM

Pawlenty, who is educated and a lawyer, started to sound more "folksy" as far back as Jan/Feb 2009 and Jan 2010 when I heard him speak at Minnesota Chamber events. This is not new to those of us in MN. And it's gotten more pronounced as he's gotten deeper into his campaign.

Posted by Wendy Burt | March 15, 2011 9:55 AM

What does his being "educated and a lawyer" have to do with anything?

Posted by Jamie | March 15, 2011 10:07 AM

An educated lawyer from MN should not sound like he's from Mizzerra.....

Posted by Mike | March 16, 2011 2:36 PM

Tim Pawlenty was channeling Tim Brewster. Next thing we know, he will be telling his supporters that he is taking them to the White House.

Posted by Todo | March 16, 2011 3:52 PM

"An educated lawyer from MN should not sound like he's from Mizzerra....."

And a new england blueblood with a yale undergrad & harvard MBA shouldn't sound like a texas cowpoke. Pawlenty is following a script that has played well in the past.

Posted by bsimon | March 16, 2011 4:22 PM

Everything that is old is new again:

http://www.wbur.org/npr/95729820/for-candidates-an-accent-on-authenticity

Posted by Robert Franklin | March 16, 2011 5:33 PM

Totally scripted. Trying to find a new "base" now that he completely blew it here in MN.

Posted by tl | March 16, 2011 5:33 PM

The silliness of hearing him trying to be what he is not is off-putting. The thought it might be done in desperation to make others like him more is a little bit sad. MPR playing Sweet Home Alabama as this story ended on the air was priceless. I laughed out loud as the first notes were struck. Thanks!

Posted by Ken | March 16, 2011 5:50 PM

Ha Ha Ha! This just make laugh! Thanks, Tim. I needed that today.

Posted by Nick | March 16, 2011 6:10 PM

Politicians do this all the time, and so do the rest of us. I think it's natural. I was amused to see a similar story not long ago about President Obama slipping into moderated "jive talkin" when addressing a black crowd. He sounded like a goof.

Posted by Mary | March 16, 2011 8:55 PM

I noticed something that made me feel that I could not trust him when we was first govenor of our state or when he was running for govenor.He was on a rock radio station and talking like one type of person, very against helping those in need and then he was on a very well respected radio station, an AM station, here in the Twin Cities and it was like he put on his Sunday to go meeting clothes, totally different style, maybe that is okay, but it felt rather strange to me. I have never forgotten hearing that.

Posted by a fellow minnesotan | March 17, 2011 10:27 AM

@yee-haw - he SHOULD be following Willie Nelson - maybe some of that second hand smoke will straighten him out. I always laugh when Rachel pretends to nod when discussing him.

Posted by Jen | March 17, 2011 12:18 PM

This is garbage. What a waste of resources. Pawlenty doesn't sound dramatically different in the clips. Dream on, lefties.

Posted by Matthew Vadum | March 17, 2011 12:40 PM

//doesn't sound dramatically different

In other words, he sounds different, just not "dramatically so."

Posted by Bob Collins | March 17, 2011 12:47 PM

//doesn't sound dramatically different

In other words, he sounds different, just not "dramatically so."

Just enough to fool some of the people, some of the time.

Posted by Baba | March 17, 2011 1:36 PM

I've noticed Obama does the same thing. I think it has less to do with trying to appeal to a certain demographic, than it has to do with trying to sound like a "regular Joe" and like you're "decisive and determined". For some reason, the "drawl" is what we fall back on when trying to do so.

I know, because I've done it myself a time or two, without even thinking about it. Hell, I actually used "reckon" once in a sentence and was called on it. I have no freaking clue where that came from, but it amused me when it was pointed out to me.

Posted by Mike` | March 17, 2011 10:14 PM

Ridiculous! This guy is a joke and an embarrassment for the state of Minnesota; him and Bachmann. Why is he governor again?? Reminds me a bit of Bush. Get him out of here.

Posted by Erin | March 18, 2011 4:11 AM

// Why is he governor again??

He's not. He didn't run for re-election. Mark Dayton is the governor of Minnesota.

Posted by Bob Collins | March 18, 2011 7:10 AM

Pawlenty made Minnesota much more like Texas (lower taxes, big deficits, concealed weapons, education cuts, bigger prisons) and now he sounds like he is all Texas himself. EGAD! He was a Texan the Whole Time!

Posted by Dean J. Seal | March 18, 2011 9:16 AM

I was so afraid that Pawlenty might actually be electable. After this stupid "southern drawl" stunt
and his lame explanation I'm no longer afraid. Whew! "Go boah! Keep 'er goin'!"

Posted by Joe | March 18, 2011 1:13 PM

Wow....it sounds like he's trying to effect palin-speak... Shame....Minnesotans have such a pleasant accent..
And @Mike: it's only republicans that call it 'Mizzerra' .... everybody else calls it 'Mizzeree'....!

Posted by RockyMissouri | March 25, 2011 10:40 PM

It is discouraging and of concern that a candidate will go to these lengths to get elected. Does Pawlenty think he cannot get elected based on his record or who he really is and what he really stands for? This whole stunt makes me wonder who is the real Tim Pawlenty and what would he REALLY do in office? Would that change every time he spoke to a different group? Who could ever elect someone that wishy washy to be our next president? I don't trust him.

Posted by Linda B | March 29, 2011 12:36 PM

It's easy to pick up a southern drawl. Just start talking faster, and don't pay close attention to your diction.

It just shows that Tim is more relaxed while public speaking.

Posted by Bob Barney | May 23, 2011 2:58 PM

Heard him on the radio and didn't recognize his voice at all! Neurolinguistic efforts at gaining the Southern Republican vote?

Posted by Stacy Wahl | May 27, 2011 7:01 PM

Going back to the time when Pawlenty was first elected, I saw right through him and I proved myself right.

The resemblence to Hitler without a mustache went deeper than physical attribute. Elimination of safety nets bring a longer term suffering toward an end.

He is hate inspiring, and Bachman is worse.

Posted by notasleep2 | July 1, 2011 3:13 PM

Frankly, I dont hear much difference. Sounds like he has a cold in the second clips. Also, aren't Minnesota people know to have very nasal twangs? I dont know, but they sound like that to me usually.

Posted by Meade | February 27, 2012 12:49 PM